New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-05

Constitution does not requre-and Incorporating and
confusing 1t with an enumeration measure, and
refusing to pass anything ese What the people desire
and have the right to demand "a Simple enumeration
which will only cost them the of $4,000 or
thereabonts rather than elaborate and complicated
census which /, has been demonstrated would cost
them the sum of overs f0O, 600 The question is a
simple one, and it cannot be made clearer by reera-
ton This constitutional duty neglected refused in
1880 can be performed now. This Is common
IL Us in accordance with precedents and the principle
involved has been adjudicated by the courts. No
good reason exists why the present Legislature should
perform its Tain and boundcn duty in this regard
No party can long retain power which refuses fair
enumeration OF the people, solely in order prevent
"a honest reappOrtionment of the State Political
control NAV be retained BY such methods tor q time,
but later tho wrong will be rghted 1t this
Legislature does not assume tho honor and credit of
doing it, other Legislature in the future,
surely will.
Ninth. The creation OF commission to revise the
charter OF the city of New-YOrk. This Is recommended
preferable to a renewal Of the attempts which are
annually made to secure needed amendments by
piece-meal Instead of such usually futile efforts Mt
reform there should be a systematic endeavor per
fect new and revised charter carefully prepared and
well considered which shall absolutely guarantee 10
that city complete local self government The admin
istraton OF the city ernment should be divorced
much possible from the State GOV crnment There
should be essentially home Iule to strictly
local affairs The necessity for revision OF the city
conceded The Mayor should be vested with
extensive powers the various departments should he
mainly sngleheade5 the terms of office OF such de-
partment officials should be coextensive with that of
the Mayor. and no longer; the Mayor should have the
absolute power of removal, for cause OF all depart
ment officials appointed by him. and such removal
should not be subject TO the approval OF the Governor
many offices now appontive should be elective. and
the people should be thoroughly trusted in the
management OF their own municipal affairs If powers
iras Inao foil hat tlav
should be wholly withdrawn. proper form OF
municipal government should be established to which
there should be given steadfast adherence The
fact that bad men occasionally elected furnishes
argument for the changing OF system TO which there
is otherwise no objection The authorization OF the
appointment OF competent commission limited in
number but composed OF former Mayors Corporation
Counsels, Controllers others familiar with the city
government, together with few leading citizens of
each party and intelligent representatives of all
classes and interests, to frame and report new
charter, would unquestonably lead TO the prepa ration
OF improved and reasonably satisfactory ere, and
would be progressive and practical step in the cause
OF municipal REFORM 1t is, OF course understood that
the commission appointed should submit its report
10 the Legislature for adoption The difficulty is that
heretofore tere has been altogether too much
talk OF reform, and many elaborate theories have
been advanced with little no practical effort 10
accomplish anything of real benefit to the city, II Is
submitted that the crea don of charter commission is
something practical and worthy of immediate adop
ton.
Tenth. The abolition of the Regents OF the Univer
sity, and the transfer OF of their powers TO the
Department of Public instruction
Eleventh. The abolition of the State Board Of
Charities and the concen ration OF its powers in
single Office.
Twelfth. The abolition of the State Board of Health,
and the vesting OF its powers officer.
The last three measures numbered tenth. eleventh
and tweltthl were fully discussed in last years Mes
sage and the reasons tor their enactment fully set
forth Ii unnecessary repeat the arguments
then presented Ii Is sufficient TO say that the
tial object sought 10 be accomplished by each Of said
measures is the same, namely, the proper concentra
ton of power IA single official in whom the full
responsibility for Official action should vest. The
uni0caton OF the super vision OF the educational inter
ests OF the State, involved in the abolition OF the
kegenta, Is especially desirable. Ii is Of the
great defects evils in the present system OF the dis
charge OF plblic duties by large bodies boards OF
officials that there is who is personally in
dviduay solely respons bic for whatever action is
taken division OF responsibility naturally beIets
loOseuess of administration Ii is believed that power
aud responsibility should be united and 90 hand in
hand and that thereby the efficiency usefulness and
economy OF the public service will be greatly pro-
II Oted
Thirteenth. An enabling act for the purpose Of en-
forcing that provision OF the Constitution which
declares that The free exercise and enjoyment OF
rel profession and worship, without dscrunina
ton preference shall forever he allowed this
State 10 all mankind" Much legislation has been
heretofore proposed, but has been actually
perfected to carry out this constitutional guaranty OF
religious freedom. There should enacted whatever
proper may be essential to fully aud entirely
the salutary objects intended to be
plished by the provis OF the Constitution above
quoted.
Fourteenth. An amendment TO the criminaklaw by
providing TOR s speedy enforcement IN Of
murder In the first degree, by allowing appeal
directly or in the first instance. from the Court of
Oyer and TerIniner TO the Court OF Appeals.
Fifteenth An act limiting, regulating and restrict
ing the power OF corporations In the Issue OF stock and
bonds. The manner ia which corporations under
listing laws permitted TO issue and place upon the
market stock aud bonds, representing little
valuable consideration equivalent actually paid in
and which, although not legally. yet. in effect,
fraud upon the corporations ~ well imposition
uron the purchasers and the public-prcscnts "A crying
abuse and loudly calls tor Legislative interference.
Sixteenth. general law providing specially for the
incorporation OF trades unions.
CONDITION OF THE STATE FINANCES
The condition OF the finances of the state is graf
flying The debt has been reduced $4,000 during
tie past fiscal year by the payment Of 100000 Nj
agara Reservation Bonds and $34 go Canal Bonds.
On the 3oth Of September, 1856. the total funded
debt Was S9327 .204.e7. classi1edas follows:
General innd undian annuites). sl22Go. "
Niagara Reservation 800 900 %
.,-,. s9a27.2ot 81
Total debt unprovided r....-........ s4276 1871 O5
The increase Of the annual expenses required for
the government Of the State is a matter for serious
consideration.
While the tax rate for the fiscal year Is 2.95 mills
nnd that Of last year 2.96 mills, there was In
fact reduction of taxation, the taxes levied
last year amounted to S0,IGO,405 IL, and those OF
this year to the of s9,5i2s12 o. showing al In
OF S:3521O7 90 and this, Notwithstanding the
fNct that not dollar was appropriated towards the